Buying insurance online lets you choose a product, fill in the application, pay the premium and receive an electronic policy remotely. The security of the process depends on checking the insurer, entering correct data and reading the contract carefully.
Contents
  1. What you can buy
  2. Step-by-step guide
  3. Checking the terms
  4. Safe payment
  5. What to check after purchase
  6. Insured event

Which policies can be bought online

Standardised products are the ones most often bought remotely, as they only require identification data and answers to an electronic questionnaire. Whether online purchase is possible depends on the insurance company and the characteristics of the risk.

  • compulsory motor third-party liability insurance;
  • travel insurance;
  • accident insurance;
  • certain property plans;
  • voluntary medical insurance;
  • other products available on the insurer's website.

Complex corporate, construction, transport and large property risks may require an inspection, documents and individual agreement. In such cases, an online application is the start of the calculation, not a guarantee that a contract will be concluded automatically.

Important: an insurance service, including compulsory types, may be provided only by a licensed insurance company. An intermediary may help with the selection and completion of forms, but the policy must name the insurance company as the insurer.

Step-by-step policy purchase

  1. Define your goal. Decide which asset needs protecting and against which events.
  2. Check the website. Open the company's official site and make sure the domain is correct.
  3. Choose a plan. Compare risks, sum insured, deductible and term.
  4. Fill in the application. Copy the details directly from your documents.
  5. Read the terms. Open the contract, rules and consents before ticking any boxes.
  6. Check the calculation. Make sure the parameters and the premium match your choice.
  7. Pay securely. Verify the recipient and keep the receipt.
  8. Receive the policy. Download the document and check that it is registered.

Do not use random data and do not skip questionnaire questions. An error in an identification number, registration plate, address or the characteristics of the insured object requires an official correction. Pay particular attention to the start and end dates of cover.

Which terms to check before paying

Parameter What it means What to clarify
Subject of insurance A property interest, life, health or liability Whether it matches your goal
Insured risks Events for which a payout is possible Definitions and exclusions
Sum insured The insurer's limit of liability A shared or separate limit
Deductible The part of the loss not covered by the payout Its amount and how it is applied
Territory and term Where and when cover applies The start date after payment
Notification The procedure for reporting an event Deadline, channels and documents

Price should not be the only criterion. A low premium may be explained by a small sum insured, a high deductible or a shortened list of risks. Compare like with like.

How to protect yourself from fraudsters

  • do not proceed to payment via a link in an unknown message;
  • check the spelling of the domain and the presence of a secure connection;
  • do not transfer the premium to a private individual's card;
  • never disclose your password, PIN or one-time bank code to anyone;
  • verify the insurer's full name and contact details;
  • do not install apps at the request of an unknown adviser;
  • if in doubt, close the page and call the company on its official number.

A fake website may look like a copy of a well-known company. Warning signs include errors in the address, pressure to pay immediately, an unusually large discount with no explanation and no insurance rules available.

What to check in the issued policy

  • full name or the name of the organisation;
  • identifiers and characteristics of the insured object;
  • contract number and insurer details;
  • sum insured, premium and deductible;
  • list of risks and exclusions;
  • territory and dates of cover;
  • contact details and notification procedure.

Keep the policy, the rules, the receipt, the calculation and the email correspondence. It is useful to have an offline copy. If you find an error, do not correct it in the file yourself: contact the insurer and obtain an official document.

What to do when an insured event occurs

  1. Ensure the safety of people and property.
  2. Call the competent authority if necessary.
  3. Record the circumstances and the damage.
  4. Notify the insurer within the deadline and in the manner set out in the contract.
  5. Obtain a claim reference number and a list of documents.
  6. Keep certificates, reports, photos, receipts and correspondence.
  7. Obtain the written decision and the payout calculation.

An electronic contract does not change the claims settlement procedure. The insurer reviews the circumstances and documents in the same way as for a paper policy. Having a file does not in itself prove that any event is an insured event.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to print the policy?

An electronic version is usually sufficient, but requirements depend on the product and the situation. An offline copy is useful when travelling.

Can I cancel the purchase?

The procedure for termination and premium refund is determined by legislation and the contract. Study this section before paying.

Is online always cheaper?

Not necessarily. The price depends on the risk and the cover. The online channel mainly makes the process simpler.

Conclusion

Buying insurance online is safe if you use the official website, check your data and read the contract before paying. The speed of the process does not remove the need to understand the risks, exclusions and claims procedure.

This material is for information purposes only. The terms are determined by the contract with a licensed insurance company.